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Photos: Tasha Pinelo

Some 200 cruise experiences will be offered during America’s River Roots on

Steamboat NATCHEZ from the port of New Orleans
Belle of Louisville and the Mary M. Miller from the port of Louisville
Celebration Belle from the port of Moline, Illinois
Belle of Memphis from the port of Memphis
Three Rivers Queen from the port of Pittsburgh
Anson & Betsey Northrup from the port of Minneapolis/St. Paul
Belle of Cincinnati and River Queen from the port of Cincinnati

Cruise options: brunch cruise, lunch cruise, dinner cruise, late-night cruise, Riverboat Race cruise, parade cruise, sight seeing cruise and family sight seeing cruise. Tickets for cruises are on sale now.

For information, visit www.americasriverroots.com.

America’s River Roots, a celebration of inland river cuisine, music and culture to kick off America’s 250th Anniversary, announced today the nine riverboats that will be featured in the event to be held along the banks of the Ohio River in Cincinnati, Covington and Newport from October 8–12, 2025.

At the event Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval and Newport Mayor Tom Guidugli Jr. issued good-natured challenges to the mayors of Louisville and Memphis to riverboat races. Captain Alan Bernstein of BB Riverboats explained to to everyone the grand history of shenanigans historically involved in riverboat races.

Mayors from river cities, including Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati of Moline, IL, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, Memphis Mayor Paul Young, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell have been invited to join in America’s celebration of river culture by participating in the River Expo Pavilion and identifying their best musicians to perform one of nine stages.

America’s River Roots has been endorsed as an official event of the Ohio 250 and Kentucky 250 Commissions to celebrate America’s 250th in 2026. Rob Portman is working with the U.S. America 250 Commission, established by Congress, to secure designation as a national signature event.

Additional programming will be announced throughout 2025 and will include: nationally-recognized and emerging artists who will perform on multiple stages on both sides of the river. A River Roots Gospel Revival and education programs will put a spotlight on The Freedom Journey, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame. Culinary attractions will include celebrity chef presentations, bourbon and craft beer tastings, multicultural food vendors, and regional food artisans.

Take Me to the River

With Honor